Bottomed-out Pillow

Occasionally, you think too much as to what you are crafting-and WHY?  This is one of those projects that I wonder with all the projects I have sewn it has come to this….

My youngest DD hurt her tailbone in gym class and as anybody knows who has had this kind of injury it could take months before it heals 100%.  At school the desk chairs are a hard metal only adding to her discomfort, so yes, the “bottom” pillow is born.

Sierra picked out the fabric and I picked out the “S” applique!  I guess even a “bottom” pillow has to be fashionable and cute for my 12-year-old……..

Just when I thought I have sewn everything, my DD taught me differently.  Sierra definitely keeps me on my toes and keeps me open-minded ;0

Lesson learned.

Mmmmmmmm, Cheesecake

I hope this blog post finds you all enjoying the first few weeks of the New Year!  Here in Arizona, we have had quite the cold spell Christmas week up to a few days ago!  Flannel, fleece, and the warmth of sweet things baking!  The best part of winter, IMO, is the baking season. 

My husband graciously asked me to bake a cake for his boss-for her birthday.  She likes cheesecake-hmmmmm, a woman with great taste!  I ran fast for my recipe binder and found my go-to recipe for yummy cheesecake!  While it was baking my daughter came home from school and said “Mommy, what are you baking?  It smells awesome”.   Ahhhhh,  cheesecake for Daddy’s boss!  “Really, Mommy, Really”

Yes, we could not cut into this creamy, almond-flavored confection. ;(  I add Amaretto to the batter!  My husband just LOVES my cheesecake and I have not baked one in quite some time…. This might be my opportunity(while he has the cheesecake swirling around in his mouth) to persuade him into something I have had my eye on.  Trust me-he’s easy when it comes to food!

I decorated this with cream-cheese frosting as well and drizzled some melted chocolate on it.  What woman doesn’t like chocolate?  

Yum. Yum.  

 

Fun Christmas gifts

This is a wonderful time of year but sometimes lends little time for blogging and creating ;(   My husband and 2 daughters have 2 weeks off for the Christmas vacation.  I have squeezed in a few moments to show you some items I made recently!

A shopping/grocery bag for my Dad!  Yes, a bag of money… It folds to wallet-size.  I just love this fabric.  It is a Robert Kaufman fabric found at Joann’s.

I also made this skirt for my niece, Miss Kate.  At her preschool, her group is named “The Owls”.  Hence the fabric and the applique I used.  I love creating a one-of-a-kind custom-made outfit!  I cannot wait to see her in it!  Both fabrics are from Hobby Lobby and the owl applique is from Lynniepinnie.com.  I had a tough time finding a plain, short-sleeve shirt this time of year.  Whew……..

Enjoy the rest of the time with your families!  Maybe… I can sneak in a little sewing time.  Miracles happen this time of year I’m told

 

Merry Christmas!

Have you been shopping and shopping, wrapping, addressing those Christmas cards, baking, crafting, decorating the house(not just the tree) and saying to yourself “I cannot wait for Christmas to be over”.  Go ahead, admit it….it’s okay!  If you are reading my blog, you have taken a few moments to do something other than “Holiday stuff”.   

I always obsess about the holidays and wanting it picture perfect and it always ALL falls into place.  It really is about spending time with our families and reflecting on all the joys in our lives.  I look back on my childhood and miss my grandparents SO much and I find peace knowing they will always be with me.   Some of my recipes are my grandmother’s and date back generations.  My LOVE for baking and cooking was bestowed on me from my grandmother-what a wonderful gift she gave me…

I recently saw this embroidery file from

 http://www.embroitique.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1006&zenid=62df23e3afc14dc05daa82e0a3585e84

and knew I had to have it… It reminds me of the reason for this wonderful time of year.  My 4 year-old niece, Miss Kate, LOVES, LOVES anything PINK!  I quickly embroidered it and gave it to her!  In her mind, trust me, Christmas SHOULD be pink. 

For me the Holidays just would not be the same without LOTS of baking… Here is a cake I made using Nordicware’s Christmas Wreath pan=LOVE it!!!

From my home to yours(or my computer to yours) I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas!!

I'm Slumbering...or so I wish!

Just before school started, my 2 DD's and I were at Hobby Lobby.  For my oldest daughter, it is fun for her.  For my youngest daughter, NOT SO MUCH.... She hates the fabric store!  I dread going there under these circumstances, but we had several errands to run and this was one of the stops.

As I was picking up what I needed, my youngest DD, Sierra, came to me with a bolt of fabric and said, "Mommy, can you make PJ's with this?  I love this fabric!"  It could have been the most expensive and ugliest fabric on earth and I would have bought it anyway.  I wonder if she is "growing up" and her creative juices are coming out...  I was shocked to hear those words from her.  Sierra wanted PJ's from this fabric and I almost forgot everything else I came to the store for because she definitely threw me a curve-but a very rewarding one!

Whooo would have known? ;)

Sometimes, it is just easier to cut 2 fabrics at the same time-which is what I did!  Sierra now has an assortment of Fall PJ's.

The owl applique is a freebie on sewforum and is just adorable!  The flower applique is my go-to- applique from lynniepinnie.com.

If you were wondering, both PJ bottoms are a capri-length.  This was also Sierra's idea and a great one!

Sierra's creativity is so refreshing and I am SO proud of her.  Proud, yes.  Scared, too.  Why you ask.... My sewing room is in jeporady.  To be taken over by a sassy pre-teen, twilighter, and book-lover.

And..... I'm loving every minute of it. ;) 

Another Elastic Waistband Skirt

My DD saw my flowery skirt and wanted one!  These are SO easy!  I made this one more flowy and twirly for my "tween".  She LOVES the denim fabric, of course!

I added the heart embroidery-it has a lace-look to it and I thought it would add a little spunk to the overall denim skirt-plus my embroidery machine has been feeling neglected! ;)


This heart design is from here:
http://www.embroiderthis.com/heofhesm.html
You might have to sign in as a member to download this free design-well worth looking at the other free designs, too!
My oldest DD wants a new skirt, so I am off to my stash of fabric and my sewing room....

From Shirt to Skirt!

I have a lot of fabric, I do....  I had a bunch of clothes to donate and as I was placing them in the car, I noticed this lime green shirt of mine.  I really admire this color-but not the shirt!   I know my DD likes this color, too.
So with all my fabric, I just had to repurpose this shirt!  Why?  I don't know?  I knew it would be a fast and rewarding project, done just in time for my DH and DD returning from a school trip to the Grand Canyon.  Yes, they have been gone for a couple of days and projects have been flying out of my sewing room! (well, not really, but you get the picture) 
Here is the wrinkled shirt I took from the donation pile.  It is a ladies size small.


I saw a summer skirt for my DD, who I have been missing!  I miss DH, too!
I cut the shirt just below the pockets!


Next I cut the rest of the fabric just under the arms.











After ironing the seam toward the top of the skirt, it should look something like this!





Ahhhh, starting to look like a skirt!  I then serged the very top, again making sure to line-up the button seams,  I placed some pins to hold it while I serged.   If you look carefully, you can see my serged top of the skirt.



A
t this point, I turned the skirt inside out and folded the top down 3/4" of an inch.  I sewed this all around the waistline making a casing.  Remember to leave an 1 inch or so, open so you can insert elastic.  I used 1/2" elastic and used my DD's waist size (which is 25") to cut that size of elastic.  Insert the elastic and sew the casing shut!





I think it looks good enough to wear at this point, but the girl in me thought to embellish it further.  I decided a scarf belt and a flower appliqué would be perfect!  I just LOVE this fabric!  It is Amy Butler "Daisy Chain".   I purchased it from fabric.com.

http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=85419a74-2c0f-44b2-a562-0ac4e7ed49b8

I also appliquéd with my embroidery machine, my fav and quickie, flower appliqué.

http://lynniepinnie.com/shop/embroidery-designs/applique-quick-flower-4x4-5x7-6x10/prod_5.html

Here is my DD's "new and green"(LOL) skirt!


I sewed the bottom button onto the skirt catching all the laye
rs to hold the skirt closed.  It also makes the buttons look more uniform!  (You could do a buttonhole first and then sew the button, but why?)

The decorative part of this skirt is endless!  This took about 70 minutes from start to finish!  Does that include cleaning up the sewing room before DD and DH return home?  No, but I guess I have to.  I can't leave it messy because then they will "know" I had way too much fun while they were gone!

I am cleaning up now and closing shop.  I am missing the sounds of my family around, but I hear in the background my sewing machines purring and missing me.....  ;(

Flip-Flop Beach/Pool Bag & Towel

On Monday, I received a phone call from my DD's friend's mother.  She is having a surprise party for her DD-last minute!  I was told not to tell my DD about the party until I was driving her to it!  That way it would hopefully be a surprise!  Okay, I can do that!  But..... I cannot ask my DD what her friend likes.
I thought about the usual gifts, maybe a gift card(boring) and then I decided to make her something.  Summer is approaching (at least where I live) and I thought a pool bag( we live in AZ, so I can't call it a beach bag ;(  A new pool season calls for a new towel, too! 
Off to the sewing room(yeah) and a bag and matching towel were created!  I had to secretly sew and embroider without my DD knowing.  If she saw the name "Daly" on this bag she would know that something was up.  I had to clean-up all the evidence whenever I was sewing!  She does not have a clue.....

Pool Bag


Matching Towel, of course...

I purchased the flip-flop fabric from Walmart, but I have also seen it at Joann's.  It is a home dec/outdoor fabric.
The striped fabric on the bag is from Joann's and is also a home dec/outdoor fabric!   I thought this kind of fabric would be perfect for our AZ sunshine!
The flip-flop appliqué is from http://planetapplique.com/all-appliques/flip-flops-applique/prod_312.html
Love this appliqué!!

Okay, grab the sunscreen!  It's pool time!

Apron Set

Have you ever been invited to a neighbor's home for cheesecake and you have no idea what to bring as a little gift?My husband suggested fresh flowers-as beautiful as they are, they perish ... And how original?!?  I did make a cinnabon coffee cake and just wanted that "perfect" little something else!  I had two days notice to figure this out!

I remembered that Judy LOVES to bake, just like I do.  Aaaaaah, and if Judy is like me, her aprons have probably seen better days.  I know aprons the last couple of years are "in",  Now, to find fabric to complement my neighbor.  I found this fabric and thought who doesn't like hydrangeas?  I LOVE them...

A matching kitchen towel is a must to complete the set.  Good thing I have a stash of accessories to personalize in an emergency!  The towel is a royal blue.  My preference would have been aqua, but I think this color combo worked out just fine!

I know this was the perfect "little something" I was hoping for when I took the first bite of her delicious cheesecake.  Mmmmmmm.  She was not only surprised but so thankful for her new set.  Judy LOVED the "J" on the pocket.

Is it just me or is sewing/embroidery just the best hobby ever?  I LOVE bestowing something so personal to someone that sometimes cannot be purchased.  And I get to spend time in my sewing room......  

Not only will Judy look fabulous in her apron, but she can bake up some fabulous desserts as well.  Judy- you know where I live....

Robe Redo

I purchased this robe a few weeks ago.  I had originally passed it up and while I was shopping, I went back and scooped it up.  It looked stark but warm and comfy.  I know what you are thinking.... Who cares as long as it is clean!  It was just too plain for me, but the comfy factor was screaming at me.  Minky fabric is SO soft.



I feel like Sandra Lee from the Food Network-semi-homemade.  Yes, that is my description of this somewhat sewing project.  Embellish a piece of RTW.  Easy, fast, and fashionista-looking results.  Should I also mention that it was on mega-sale?  Winter clearance!


Some faux fur on the cuffs and a "J" appliqué  and it was done.  It took me longer to figure out what I wanted to do with it, then the actual project.  I should have bought an additional one, as I KNOW my mother will want one.  Honestly, I thought I was bringing this back to the store....
Now I just need a good book, a cup of tea, a quiet house?, and my robe.... Sounds like a wonderful evening, or morning and into the afternoon. 
I will just keep dreaming-a girl can dream, right?

Name Pillows!

I am back into the swing of things, as far as my sewing/embroidering things!  I just LOVE spending time in my sewing room and creating.  In a perfect world, I would spend most of my life in there..... :)  I hosted Easter this Sunday and my focus and energy was on having the perfect holiday dinner!  Yum.
As Easter was approaching, I was trying to fiqure out what I could fill my nephew and niece's Easter baskets with.  Hmmmmmmm, my sister(and myself) are not into filling them with sweet, sugary treats.   Then the dilemma broadens, because next in line would be toys.  Sigh.. Sigh... They have SO many toys and I wanted something unique.  Well, I put on my sewing cap, gladly and without hesitation, and this is what happened.

I thought kids=dirt so I made the pillow form  removable so the pillow case can be removed for easy laundering.

For Michael, as you may have seen in a previous blog post, has his room decorated in blue camo.  I made him a matching name pillow with his initals.  My thought was it looked "stronger" with a camo-theme then placing his name. 

Kids=dirt theory and this is the back of the pillowcase!

The applique font I used is called "Aiden font" from http://planetapplique.com/

It comes with a frilly, girly-girl version(love that) and a satin-stich version.  It is like getting 2 for 1!  Great deal and great font!

Upon the completion of these 2 pillows, I have received 2 custom orders... My 2 daughters have vocalized that they both "need" one for their bedrooms!  I'm thinking this might be a great project for us to work on during summer break.  Yes, it is rolling in fast... Too fast!

I just might "need" a pillow to rest my weary head at the thought of summer break......Zzzzzzzzz, sigh, Zzzzzzzzzz, sigh.
 
I'm sure you Moms understand.

Daisy Dress

Spring Break started last Friday, March 12th which equates to DD's are home and social director becomes my career-path for the week!  Between social events, front patio makeover(coming soon) and lack of sewing projects, I have not blogged for some time!  I have LOTS of projects on the assembly line!

Well, it must be spring at the sight of this cute little summery outfit!  This is a McCall's pattern #2526, which is discontinued.  Why do the pattern companies discontinue sought-after patterns?  I LOVE the back of this top and the daisy buttons I put on it.  The fabric, again, is from my over-flowing stash!   The flower appliqué is called "Quick flower appliqué" from http://lynniepinnie.com/.  Wonderful embroidery designs and they are having a sale right now, too!

This was a VERY easy and fun pattern to make!  I am fortunate enough that a good friend of my parents bestowed me with some old sewing patterns she no longer wanted.  Love that!!  Thank you Mary for your generosity.  Your patterns are being put to good use!  ;)













According to the weather forecast, we definitely are having beautiful spring weather.  Officially, spring starts tomorrow, March 20th, at 10:32 am!

If you are looking at this daisy dress and the calendar, you know Spring must be around the corner....

Stop and smell the daisies....

Easy Baby Bibs

As far as sewing is concerned, this was NOT a very productive week.  Hopefully next week will be.  I ordered fabric and when it arrived, it was the wrong fabric.  Just another reason why I like to walk into a fabric store and buy my fabric! 

These bibs were store-bought and I just embellished them with embroidery appliqués.  So fun and a satisfying way to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary.  Oh, I LOVE my embroidery machine(I have 2) and sometimes they are simultaneously embroidering.  Music to my ears!

Cupcake embroidery from sew forum


Quick Flower Appliqué from Lynnie Pinnie


Baby Duck Appliqué from Lynnie Pinnie

http://lynniepinnie.com

Thanks for looking!